VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

melissa eX

Some of you will probably think I'm nuts - so you may want to leave the room now, but for the rest, I just have to say I'm amazed and thrilled.

A little over two weeks ago a cricket started chirping - in the drop ceiling of my basement studio. Yes, he was loud. And yes, I was having trouble recording. I started moving aside ceiling tiles to see if I could find him or if he would come out. Nothing. For a couple of days as I'd try to record and he'd chirp and chirp, I'd stomp my feet under where he was at the moment and he'd shut up for a couple of minutes and then start up again. I tried combinations of lighting. Turning all the lights off but one and hoping to lure him out at night. Then, turning all of the lights on, in the hope he would think it was a bright sunny day and be quiet. Nothing worked.

I finally got SO frustrated, in the middle of a narration when he started up again, I found myself actually pleading with him. Just begging him to be quiet just for a little bit so I could finish. And ... he quieted down. Stayed quiet for most of that day and then started right up again. But over the next couple of days he kept quiet most of the time I was recording. Meanwhile I was leaving messages for the entomologist at the Bronx Zoo to please call me back (he didn't) and tell me how to lure a cricket out of hiding so I could put him outside. The only solution was to get him to come out - and there was no useful info online. I wasn't putting down traps or anything else, because I didn't want to hurt him.

A few days into this I had an ISDN session. Hmmm. All was quiet until just 10 minutes before the session and he started chirping away. I got up on a stool and spoke in his general direction in the ceiling and made a deal with him. I told him I knew he really didn't want to be there - he wanted to be outside with the cricket ladies, so if he would be quiet for just 20 minutes I would do everything I could to get him out of there.

And... he quieted down.

Just a few minutes after my session wrapped up I heard a very very small chirp and then another and then nothing. I looked around the area I heard the chirp but I couldn't see him and couldn't get into parts of the ceiling. I didn't know what to do and I had to leave for another session so I figured I'd leave another message for another entomologist and try to find him again when I got back .

That was the last chirp I heard.

I've been feeling awful this past week or so. Did he die up there? What happened? I felt as though I betrayed him by not being able to get him out somehow right after my session. He kept his part of the bargain and I failed him.

Today, as I'm invoicing, all of a sudden ... chirps! He was talking up a storm. He was on the other side of the basement, the unfinished side and I ran over and grabbed a flashlight and looked up in the ceiling and he chirped and chirped and chirped and I. COULDN'T. FIND. HIM.

So I spoke to him again - and said - look - I need your help here. You have to help me help you get out. I can't see you up there, you have to come to me. And he chirped and chirped.

And then I sat back down at the computer and invoiced for a while.

About 20 minutes later I hear scurrying noises on the floor behind me. I turn around and there he is - walking around on the floor behind me. I run to grab a cup and a stiff piece of paper and I come closer and he starts to back off without totally running off – I turn the cup over him and slide the paper underneath and take him outside.

I'm thrilled and grateful and amazed. And I don't care what anyone thinks. Mr. Cricket and I came to an understanding – we communicated. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all communicated?

Lizden · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

What a fabulous story!
Love it!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks for letting my brother out. He's always been a PITA but he's cute.

As an aside thread jack of sorts - oldest child and I were joking with a caterpillar to get off the chair in the back yard and head out front to the car if it really wanted a ride to the beach. Riding to the beach we see a caterpillar clinging to the passenger window. It stayed with us and when we got back to the car an hour later after beaching it, oldest was thrilled to see that it got it's ride and was now off at the beach somewhere.

And then there was the spider I mooned to scare it out of the kid's new room.

Bugs is good. I'm so glad you and your little pal met in the middle and there were smiles.
_________________
006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

Jen Gosnell · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject:

Well I think that is just lovely. Good for both of you!! Laugh

_________________
jen@jengosnell.com
https://www.jengosnell.com
Skype: jen.gosnell
971.258.2448

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:01 am Post subject:

Loved the story and the message behind it is so powerful ....

Now let's all do the Human Being thing ...Fingers in both ears and sing loudly "My agenda, my agenda ...MY AGENDA"

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:37 am Post subject:

I hadn't thought about it before, but after reading your story I now believe that, yes, you are nuts. And I mean that in the most loving way possible. cool

I believe there are people in Japan who trap crickets and keep them as pets. Perhaps a purveyor of Asian items might carry such devices or could order one for you. If you don't hear back from any of your other entymologists, you might try a university's cooperative extension service.

I know you said you managed to capture the little fellow and relocate him to the great outdoors, but I offer these suggestions because it's possible the two of you have developed such a good rapport that he may decide to return. Wink

_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

imaginator · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:33 am Post subject:

...new specialty: the Bug Whisperer.
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:42 am Post subject:

Melissa,

What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:58 am Post subject:

girl, maybe it's time for a new cat Smile

i love your story.

lio and i were in the backyard at about 6 last night when he heard chirping and said : hey the crickets are here!

you + lio = <3
_________________
sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

DougVox · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:04 am Post subject:

Thanks for taking the time to share that one!

Reminds of the first time my son really noticed the sounds that crickets make. We were out for a walk one evening (he musta' been around 3 or 4) when he stopped in his tracks, tilted his head, looked at the trees for a few seconds and said, "Daddy...why do I hear little...screaming?"
_________________
Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

CC Heim · Backstage Pass Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 401

OMG I love this Melissa! Your love and compassion for all living things is inspiring. May the cricket gods forever send their loving chirps your way (when you are not recording).

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:34 am Post subject:

made my day!
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Deirdre · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:06 am Post subject:

I'm so glad you didn't just fog the place. You got to help the little guy get OUT. Best for all parties. Yay!
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

kkuhlken · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject:

Jiminy just wanted a little time with the ladies, for that - he'd do anything. Even submit to the whims of a human.

I totally understand...
_________________
My full name is Karl Kuhlken (think Macauly Culkin...it rhymes)

Suave, debonair, a ladies man. Sophisticated, urbane, well heeled....no, wait...that's not me

Scott Lyle · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject:

anybody have a noise gate setting to block out the cicadas in our area? Wink

_________________
“Real freedom is freedom from the opinions of others. Above all, freedom from your opinions about yourself. ”
― Brennan Manning,